- The planned academy is expected to strengthen grassroots football development in Bayelsa
- Okoroma United received ₦40 million as champions, while the runners-up earned ₦13 million
- Governor Douye Diri described the Barcelona partnership as a major step in his administration’s plan
Bayelsa State has formalised a partnership with Spanish La Liga club FC Barcelona to set up a football academy aimed at developing young talents in the state.
Eko Hot Blog reports that the agreement was sealed during the final of the Bayelsa Governor’s Football Tournament, the Prosperity Cup 2026, held at the Samson Siasia Sports Complex in Yenagoa on Friday.
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The MoU was signed for the state by Commissioner for Sports, Dr Daniel Igali, while Mr Bernat Villa Garris represented FC Barcelona.
The ceremony was attended by key football stakeholders, including former Nigeria Football Federation president Amaju Pinnick and NFF Secretary General Dr Mohammed Sanusi.
The planned academy is expected to strengthen grassroots football development in Bayelsa and create opportunities for young players to progress to higher levels of the game.
On the field of play, Okoroma United of Nembe LGA clinched the men’s title after a narrow 1–0 win over Akinima Biogbo of Yenagoa LGA in a tightly contested final.
Okoroma United received ₦40 million as champions, while the runners-up earned ₦13 million.
In the women’s final, Active Ladies of Agudama defeated defending champions Afini Ladies of Amarata by a lone goal to lift the trophy. They went home with ₦10 million, while the second-placed team got ₦7 million.
Governor Douye Diri described the Barcelona partnership as a major step in his administration’s plan to use sports as a tool for youth empowerment and talent discovery.
He noted that the Prosperity Cup has expanded significantly since 2020, growing into one of the largest grassroots football competitions in Nigeria, now featuring over 200 teams, including female and para-football categories.
Diri also restated his government’s commitment to completing the 30,000-capacity stadium project by 2027 and praised sponsors for their continued support of sports development in the state.
He, however, expressed concern over the performance of Bayelsa United in the Nigeria Premier Football League and urged urgent steps to prevent relegation.
Representing FC Barcelona, Mr Bernat Villa Garris said the club was impressed by the level of talent in Bayelsa and expressed readiness to support the development of players and coaches through continued collaboration.
Former NFF president Amaju Pinnick commended the state government for investing heavily in sports, saying the tournament had revealed a wealth of young talent capable of reaching international standards.
He added that many players from the Niger Delta region could develop into top global football stars with the right support.
Representatives of Premium Trust Bank also reaffirmed their commitment to sports development in Bayelsa and across Nigeria.
Additional financial donations were also announced at the final, with contributions from the Nigeria Customs Service and a federal lawmaker boosting prize money for both male and female winners of the competition.
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